Vending machine



June 2, W M STEWART4 2,284,931

VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1939 5 sheets-sheet 1 June 2, 1942. W M TEWRT 2,284,931

VENDING MACHINE l Filed Aug. 22, 1959 5 sheets-sheet 2 1a f7 L4 I L ff I/ 40 I 12T 4 I .P- -1--, Il-Limw v f f R M42/2J. 179] L52 46 \2a V10 422; 52 A17 f4 Il HTTOAP/vgs y' June 2, 1942. w, M STEWART 2,284,931

VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,9 TTD/@NEX June2,1942. WM; STEWART 2,284,931

VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1959 5 Smets-sheet 4 lvvE/v Tok- H7. f1 HEM/ART June 2, 1942. W, M' STEWART v 2,284,931

VENDING MACHINE A Filed Aug, 22, 1939 5 Sheets-Shet 5 BHD Y: I 1h ,Z

www 1 x/ INI )W nnlllllhiul I i I ZY IIE/vnl? A .I /1/1 #7, .Frewa/97* A Troy/VEZ Patented June 2, 1942 VENDING MACHINE Wilson Marks Stewart, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, assigner to Hydro-Silica Corporation, Gasport,

Application August 22, 1939, Serial No. 291,452 In Canada May 1,0, 1939 (Cl. S12-87) 8 Claims.

My invention relates to a Vending machine. More particularly, the machine is one adapted to vend bottled wares such as soft drinks,

chocolate milk, milk, and others. Y

The objects of the invention, generally, are to improve on known vending machines.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a machine of the kind which permits of one selecting the `particular drink desired, out of a number of various drinks stored in the machine.

Another specific object of the invention is to design the machine so that the wares stored therein are easily seen and can be selected and removed with ease.

Still another specic object of the invention is to soY design the machine that unauthorized removal of the bottles cannot be accomplished.

Other objects and advantages of the machine may appear as the specification to follow is read in the light of the drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures, v y

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the vending ma-g chine; I

Figure 2 is a part-elevation, part side section of Figure 1, .the section being on about line 2-2 in Figure 1; Y

Figure 3 is va fragmentary top plan View` of Figure l on an enlarged scale, parts being broken away; l

Figure 4 is a section on about line 4--4 in Figure 3; h n

Figure 5 is a section on labout line `5--5'2 in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a more or lessdiagrammatic side elevation of one form of selector or bottle removing device;

Figure '7 isy an enlarged, fragmentary top plan viewof Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlargedY section on about line 8-8 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a -fragmentary- View of Figure 2,

on an enlarged Vscale, showing modified means of holding the glass panels; v

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modied form of theY bottle-receiving member or gate shown in Figures 1 to- 5; v a

Figure 11 is a fragmentary horizontal section of a modified form of the machine;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view of another modied form vof the machine;

Figure 13 is a sectionkon line I3-I3 in Figure 12;

a Figure 14is a section on about line IIl-III in Figure 13; Y Y

Figure 15 is a fragmentary, plan View of the slot-closing means used in the form of the invention shown in Figures 12Land 13.

Referring now by numerals to the drawing, I0 n is a box or casing4 in which the bottles B to be Vended are stored. Itpreferably takes the shape l of an oblong or rectangular casing of suitable construction, suitably insulated, having a top glass cover or member II formed with a plurality of spaced, parallel longitudinal slots I2 eX- tending to and connecting with an end transverse4 slot I4. compartment l5 adapted to enclose a suitable refrigerating unit, or to enclose a suitable refrigerant, such as ice, to thus provide refrigeration or cooling means. For that purpose, the Walls I6 which in partdene the compartment I5, are formed, With a plurality of suitably disposed apertures 'I9 to afford the required air circulation.Y A door (or doors) HA', of suitable size, may be provided" in oneV or more walls `of the casing in order to gain access into the casing, or more particularly intovthe compartment Vin which the bottles are stored. Y

Preferablyin a same plane with the' glass cover I l, is a plate II having an ejection opening or aperture I8 through which the bottles may be withdrawn. This plate extends between the rcompartment, l5 and the opposite or iront wall of the casing and extends also between one side wall of the casing and the slot I4, thus forming a cover for a compartment or space 11A. This plate also preferably includes a downwardly-extending wall 27 adjacent the-forward end of the slot III, and preferably terminates in a turned back'portionk 21A (see Figure 4). In this plate I'I is formed a slot 2D which communicates with the `forwardA end of the transverse vslot I4 and extends to a point past the centre of the. aperture I8. A g

The slots I2 are preferably so spaced as to provide room for two parallel rows of-bottles therebetween, as suggested by the doteand dash In one end. of the casing is a bottom 24 but a short distance so that the bottles may be removed from their respective compartments by lifting them but slightly.

The glass cover II may be comprised of four sections as shown, that is, two centre sections and two side sections. The sections are held in place by any suitable means, as for instance, a metal moulding 25 secured to walls of the casing and formed with a groove adapted to receive the edge of the glass section. One end of the centre sections may be supported by suitable brackets or legs 26, as best shown in Figure 2.

To select and remove the bottles, one by one, I use a suitable selector device D. The selector is such that it can be lowered over a bottle, to grasp its neck, under the bead, and lift and slide the bottle, to a position under the ejection opening I8. 'Ihe device is also such that the bottle may be raised or withdrawn out of the machine. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the selector comprises a ring 29, from which extends an upright lifting member 39 having a suitable knob 3 I. Encircling the ring is a coil spring 32 the ends of which are secured to the upright member 30 as by soldering (not shown). Free to turn on the ring 29, and lying between the ring and the spring, are a plurality ofV bushings 33. Fixed to the spring and to the bushings, are lifting fingers 34. Each of the ngers 34 comprises a Iinger proper 35 extending from a curved or looped portion 36 encircling the spring. `'Ihe fingers are xed to the bushings and to the spring by providing a slot 31 in the upper portion of the looped portion 36 of the finger and dropping solder, as at 38, into the slot, so that the solder will adhere not only to the bushing but to a portion or portions of the spring, and will be lodged in the slot. The spring is secured or fixed to the ring 29 at spaced intervals as at, and-with, solder 39. The spring will thus be held against rotation at spaced intervals and the fingers will thus be free to turn to a limited extent only. As will be readily seen, the selector is capable of handling or lifting bottles of different neck diameters, within a fairly largev range. Y

The operation of this form of the selector is .as follows1, The selector is moved to a .position above the particular bottle selected, the selector lowered to cause the fingers to engage the mouth of the bottle, and to spread, and to finally engage, at their outer ends, under the bead, when thefselector is now in position to lift the bottle, as best suggested in Figure 6.

At is shown a coin-controlled mechanism of a. well-known type, moreparticularly, one known as Model 500, as manufactured by A. B. T. Mfg. Co., Chicago, Ill. In such a device, there is a coin slide, 4I, slidable inra casting, 42, xed to a wall of the casing, and the movement of the slide is normally determined by a dog 42A. By inserting a coin in the coin slot 43, the coin operates to lift the dog and the slide is then free to travel the length of its intended or effective stroke. Such a mechanism is conveniently used in my present machine. To the inner or free end of the slide, I secure a metal bar 41 formed with a notch 48 in one of its edges, which is adapted to receive the upright member 39 of the selector -device D. The notch 48 is so positioned that it lies about opposite the centre of the ejection 'opening I8 when the coin slide is in its normal position, that is, in a position ready to receive 'a coin. The distance between the notch 48 and the axis of the transverse slot I4 is Such that the notch will be brought into alignment with the axis of the slot I4 when the operating slide has travelled the extent of its intended or effective stroke.

Depending from the bar 41 are two rods 52 having cross bars 53 therebetween. The rods 52 are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the body of the bottle. Formed on the lower ends of the depending rods 52 are loops 54, which are directed inwardly toward the opening I 8 and lie in parallel planes at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the slide and extension bar 41. Obviously, the loops are only of such height as to clear the wall 21, so that the bottle may be brought into the compartment or space I1A.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the extension bar A41 is of such length as to project through the wall 21 and beyond the transverse slot I4 at all times, so as to prevent any attempt to slide the selector device back into the slot While the slide is idle. The wall 21 may be conveniently formed with a notch 52A to provide a bearing for one end of the extension bar 41. As will be best seen in Figures 4 and 5, the use of a wall 21, and of loops 54 on the selector device D, will prevent the unauthorized removal of the bottles.

The operation of the machine Will be apparent. A coin inserted into the coin slot 43 will free the slide 4|, which when pushed home to the end of its intended, effective stroke, will bring the notch 48 of the extension bar 41, with the member 30 of the selector device D in the notch, in alignment with the axis of the transverse slot I4. The selector device will now be free to be moved in the slot I4, and into any of the longitudinal slots I2. The desired bottle is'grasp'ed by the .selector device, raised slightly to be clear of its individual storing compartment 23, and the device moved through the particular slotv I2, into and to the end of the transverse slot I4, when the member 39 of the device will enter the notch 48 of the extension bar 41; the device D, more particularly its member 39, is next urged to the left, into and along the slot 2U, to bring the same toV about opposite the centre of the opening I8. vT'he bottle can now be withdrawn by lifting the device until the neck of the bottle is about flush with or slightly emerges out of the opening. At this point, the slide 4I has been brought back to its normal position, so that the selector device, cannot be used to remove another bottle until another coin has been inserted into the coin slot 43. A

In Figure 9 of the drawings, there is shown a modied means of holding or suspending the glass panels II. Instead Yof .usingr supports or legs such as shown at 26 of Figure 2, brackets 15, preferably of cast brass, may be used. The use of such brackets has been found preferable, in that it leaves the inside of the bottle compartment free of any obstructions. These brackets serve as cantilever beams, nding their support upon the upper edge of one of the walls of the casing, and being secured to said Wall by means of bolts 16. Similar bolts 16 are used to support or suspend the glass panels II, there being one such bracket for each glass panel. As shown, the` bracket may be made to substantially T form, having a web and flanges 96 perforated to receive the bolts.

In Figures 10 and l1, there is shown a modified form of machine. In this form, the member 52 shown in Figures 3 to 5, is replaced by the member 52A, which is best shown in Figure 10. This walls 80 and a rear wall 98.

member, as has already been understood, serves as a gate. It isformed moreor less to a panel or U shape, having two substantially parallel The rear wall has a lug 8|, perforated to receive screws B2, serving to suspend the gate from the operating rod 41A. The rod 41A is slidably mounted between rollers 'i9 journalled in brackets '|'8 secured to one wall ofthe casing. This form of the invention makes provision for a -coin-controlled mechanism of the type which rejects spurious coins, slugs, or the like, and the type used is one of standard and well-known make as manufactured by A. B. T. Mfg. Co. aforesaid, and sold as Model B-l499A. This type of mechanism, shown as 86, has an operating shaft 8'! which for the purposes of this invention is extended through thev wall of the casing to project into the casing, the shaft being preferably supported or journalled intermediate its length in a bearing 93 secured to the inside of the casing. In order to operatively connect the gate with the shaft 31, there are provided a lever 88 fixed to the end of the shaft, and a connecting link 8S pivotally connected at one end to the lever as at 90,- and pivotally connected at the other end as at 90A to a bracket 9| secured to the gate.

The operation of this form of the invention is substantially the same as that involved in the other form of the invention. A coin is dropped into the coin mechanism so as to freeV the shaft 81 for rotation, and the selector is then moved toward the transverse slot |4, the gate being thus moved with and by the selector to its proper bottle-receiving position. Preferably, a plate 84 extending from one wall of the gate is provided, this plate being substantially under the ejection opening i8, when the gate is in its bottle-receiving position. This plate 84 thus serves to more or less seal the ejection opening.

In Figures 12 to 15 is shown still another modified form of the invention. In this form of the machine, the gate moves transversely of the machine, and not longitudinally as in the case of the forms of the machine shown in Figures 1 to 5, or 9 to 11. The selector is brought to its bottleejecting position by sliding in the slotA |00 which connects with the transverse slot |4, and then into a transversely-disposed portion or extension |0|. The gate 52B is formed with a rear wall |02, and two side walls |03 spaced to receive the bottle therebetween. The gate is provided at the top with an inverted U-shaped portion or leXtension |09 in which are journalled suitable rollers |04, the rollers riding on a round bar or track |05 suitably supported at both ends. An angle member ||0 is preferably fixed to the rear wall of the gate, below the supporting rod |05, to thus prevent the gate from falling off the rod. The gate also provides an angle-shaped portion formed to present a recess or notch |08 adapted to receive the stem or handle of the selector when the same reaches the end of the slot |00. The lower part of the gate slidably engages a partition |06.

The coin control 85 is also of the type shown in Figure ll, being one capable of rejecting spurious coins. To its operating shaft 81 is fixed a lever ||4 which isv slotted as at 5 to slidably receive a pin ||6 fixed to and extending rearwardly from the rear wall |02 of the gate. As is known, the shaft 81 of the coin control is capable of a limited rotary movement, and accordingly, the gate has a limited movement alsa-longitudinally of and on the rod or track |05, thus determining two extreme positions, a bottle-ejecting position (as shown in Figure 12) and a bottlc-receiving position.) When the gate is in the first-named position, the side walls thereof are uniformly disposed vwith respect to the axis or centre of the ejecting slot or opening I8; when the gate is in its second-named position, its side walls are uniformly disposed with respect to the axis of the slot |00.

A spring IIS, tensioned between the lever ||4 and the floor of the casing l0 of the machine, serves to releasably hold the gate in either of its two extreme positions, that is, ineither its bottleejecting position, or its bottle-receiving position. Pivoted to the top plate of the casing, as at HSA, is a lever H8. One end of this lever is formed with a transverselydirected lug |22 and a downwardly-directed lug |24, adapted to form means of engaging one corner ofthe gate (the top left-hand corner as seen in Figure 12) when the gate is in its bottle-receiving position, to thusL releasably lock the gate in such position. When the lever is swung in an anti-clockwise direction,

and the gate is moved towards its bottle-receiv-v ing position, the lug |22 rides on the rear wall of the gate. posite the lugs |22 and |24, extends a spring |26 which is anchored at its other end to the wall of the casing, so that the spring tends to turn the lever in a clockwise direction. The lever is so formed and so positioned that when the gate is in its bottle-receiving position, a portion of the lever lies under and partly closes the slots |00 and EM, closing at least said slots over a portion of their length as measured outwardly or away from their juncture or place of merging. When Y the gate is in this position, releasably locked by the lever i8, it is not free to move to its bottleejecting position until the lever is imparted an anti-clockwise rotation as by the stem or handle of the selector as the same is in process of carrying a bottle to its electing position under the ejection slot I9. The lever ||4 is so fixed on the shaft 81 that the gate is locked in its bottleejecting position until a coin has been dropped into the control mechanism, when the lever is now free to permit of the gate being moved to its bottle-receiving position.

Where the machine is used for vending soft drinks, which as is known, are usually contained in bottles having metal caps, it is preferable to bevel or flatten the ends of the fingers-34, of the selectors, so that the bevelled ends of the ngers will better hold the bottle. As will be clearly understood, the ends of these fingers will engage or lodge between the outer edge of the metal cap and the Wall of the bottle.

I claim:

1. In a vending machine, a casing Vforming a compartment adapted to store bottles, a topolosure for said casing having a slot and an opening through which the bottles may be withdrawn one by one, a bottle lifting device operable from outside of said casing by a portion projecting through said slot, adapted to grasp a bottle and bodily slidable in said slot to bring the bottle to adjacent said opening to be withdrawn therethrough, and a coin-controlled member formed to receive said portion, movable in one direction to a position to receive said portion and in an opposite direction to bring the bottle to adjacent said opening.

2, In a machine as set forth in claim 1, said coin-controlled member having depending members formed to receive the bottle therebetween.

3. In a vending machine, a casing forming a From the end of the lever which is op compartment havingY on the iloor thereof means ior receiving bottles in two parallel rows, a :transparent member on said casing having a slot at least a portion of which is disposed between and parallel withv the rows of bottles, said casing having an opening through which the bottles may be withdrawn one by one, a bottle lifting device operable from above said member by a portion projecting out of said slot, and adapted to grasp a bottle and bodily slidable in said slot to bring the bottle to adjacent said opening to be withdrawn therethrough, said bottle lifting device being adapted to grasp a bottle from either of the two rows by turningr said device on the axis of said portion and a coin-controlled member formed to receive said portion, movable in one direction to a position to receive said portion and in an opposite direction to bring the bottle to adjacent said opening.

4. In a vending machine, a casing forming a compartment adapted to store bottles, a transparent member on said casing having a slot, a second compartment communicating With said rst compartment and having a closure formed with an opening through which the bottles may be withdrawn one by one and having a slot adjacent said opening communicating with said first-mentioned slot, a bottle lifting device operable from above said transparent member by a portion projecting out through said first-mentioned slot, adapte-d to grasp a bottle and bodily slidable in said slot to bring said portion in said second-mentioned slot, said device being adapted to place the bottle under said opening when said portion is in said second-mentioned slot,

and a coin-controlled member having a recess formed to receive said portion and slidable in one direction to receive said portion from said first slot and slidable in an opposite direction to slide said portion in said second-mentioned slot and bring the bottle under said opening.

5. In a vending machine, a casing forming a compartment adapted to store bottles, a member covering said casing and formed with a slot, said member having an opening through which the bottles may be withdrawn one by one, a bottle lifting device operable from the outside of said casing by a portion projecting through said slot, adapted to grasp a bottle and bodily slidable in said slot to bring the bottle under said opening, a coin-controlled bottle receiving member actuable by said device and movable between a position to receive a bottlev brought thereto by said device and a position at which the bottle may be withdrawn through said opening, and movable means normally in a position to close a portion of said slot and operable by Said device to clear said slot.

6. In a'vending machine as set forth in claim 5, a spring operable to releasably hold said coinoperated member in its bottle-receiving position and in its bottle-ejecting position, alternately.

'7. In a vending machine, a. casing for bottles having a top closure including two transparent members spaced to provide a slot therebetween, one member co-operating at one end with a portion of said closure to provide a slot communicating with said first slot, a bottle lifting device operable from outside of said casing by a portion slidable in said slots, a bracket secured at one end to a wall of said casing and extending along one of said members toward but terminating short of sai-d second slot, and means securing said one member to said bracket whereby said bracket acts as a cantilever beam permitting 0f said device to be moved freely in said second slot.

8. In a vending machine, a casing forming a compartment adapted to store bottles, a top closure for said casing having a slot and an opening through which the bottles may be withdrawn one by one, said slot including two angularly arranged intercommunicating portions, a bottle lifting device operable from outside of said casing by a portion projecting through said slot, adapted to grasp a bottle and bodily sldable in said slot to bring the bottle to adjacent said opening to be withdrawn therethrough, and a coin-controlled member formed to receive said portion of said device, movable in one direction substantially parallelly with one of the angular- 1y 'disposed portions of said slot t0 receive said portion of said device from the other angularly disposed portion of said slot and movable in an opposite direction to bring the bottle to adjacent said opening, said portion of said device operating to close one of said angularly disposed portions of said slot when said device has been moved in said opposite direction.

W M. STEWART. 

